World renowned R&B and Hip hop producer Timbaland has made the first massive step in signalling the future of music downloads, with the decision to make the first “mobile phone” only album.
The talented producer most noted for his work with music superstar Justin Timberlake has signed a deal with American mobile phone company Verizon Wireless Network. The groundbreaking album will feature star artists with one new track to be made available per month. It will be available to subscribers to Verizons V Cast, the networks entertainment service, with footage of the recording of the album on Timbalands mobile channel.
Each month, he will work with a different artist on a track while touring the US on a Verizon bus. The songs will be sold to subscribers for $1.99 (£1) each and then compiled as a mobile album. The tracks can be transfered to a computer.
With CD sales falling like rain ringtones sales are on the up, sales of music video downloads are also increasing, with R&B and Hip Hop the number one music download genre. Phone downloads are less susceptible to piracy therefore are more attractive to the recording industry. Sales of mobile full-track downloads doubled last year, accounting for 12 per cent of the digital market. In Japan, mobile downloads sales rose 32 per cent creating an 18.2 billion yen industry (£87 million).
Ed Ruth, Verizon director of digital music, said: “Our goal is to show the music industry that we’re truly a viable distribution platform for them.â€
Timbaland, nominated for five Grammy awards, said: “Not every place has a CD player but everybody has a mobile phone. Just producing a mobile album has never been done. I’m the first to ever do it.†Timbaland has worked with some of the worlds largest supertars ranging from Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliot, The Pussy Cat Dolls etc. and is currently working with Madonna on her new album.
For all in the UK looking for this album Verizon which is a joint venture with Vodaphone could bring the album to the UK.
